Through rough seas: the political mediation of the Pastoral Council of Fishermen (1968-2018)

Abstract: This paper focuses on the work of the Pastoral Council of Fishermen (PCF), an important mediator of artisanal fishing in Brazil. The objectives are: (a) understand the political scenery of fishing before the rise of this Pastoral and (b) analyse strategies and forms of action developed by this political mediator with the artisanal fishermen. The methodological procedures were based on interviews with leaders and former leaders of the PCF, documents, newspaper sources and direct observation. We conclude that the paths built by the struggles of fishing communities keep - in the advisory action of the PCF - a prominent role, a decisive influence since its appearance.